46 replies to this topic

[Jerry Entin]

Enus Wilson in his newly acquired Maserati 300S the former A.V. Dayton car. The photo was taken at Coffeyville, Kansas, on July 6, 1958. Overall winner was Jim Grove in a Jaguar XK-SS.

In our series on North American amateur racers, we would like to start a thread on Enus Wilson. Enus is a Native American and a member of the Muskogee Creek Tribe. He was born on March 17, 1936 in Muskogee just south of Tulsa, Oklahoma. He grew up on a cattle farm. His first racing was done with a 54 Oldsmobile, painted purple, on a local drag strip. After he bought a 1957 Corvette his brother-in-law Ernie Grimm convinced him to enter it in a sportscar race at the local airport. Enus realized he liked road racing much better than drag racing. In 1958 he bought his first exotic, the former A.V. Dayton Maserati 300S.
All research Willem Oosthoek
photo Enus Wilson collection

[Jerry Entin]

Proud owner in front of his Purple Maserati 300S at Ponca City, Oklahoma in 1958
all research Willem Oosthoek
photo Enus Wilson collection

[Barry Boor]

I repainted a 43rd scale Birdcage model to represent Enus Wilson's entry at Sebring in 1962.


I don't think you can buy one like this.

[Jerry Entin]

Enus Wilson [right] and brother-in-law Ernie Grimm, an Oklahoma drag racing champion, at the start of the 1962 Sebring 12 Hours.


Wilson bought the Birdcage, chassis 2471, from Roger Penske in 1961 for around $10,000. Its engine blew up a few hours into the race and looked, as the owner remembered, as though someone had thrown a stick of dynamite. The engine was not salvageable and soon a 3.5-liter aluminum Buick V8 would replace it. The installation was done for Wilson by John Miller and Bob Schroeder in Dallas.

Barry: It looks as though the roll bar on your model should be Purple too!
Enus Wilson loved Purple.
all research Willem Oosthoek
photo Enus Wilson collection

[Barry Boor]

Purple roll bar - I shall see to it, forthwith!

So, Ernie Grimm and Enus are brothers-in-law! I never knew that one. I shall amend the model description on my website.

[Jerry Entin]

Gary Wilson's Ferrari Testa Rossa at Elkhart Lake 1963

On September 8, 1963, Enus Wilson drove this well-presented Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa to 15th overall in the Road America 500 miles. Owner and co-driver was Gary Wilson. Gary was not a relative, just a friend from Kansas who happened to have the same last name. Gary bought the car from "Old" Jim Hall of Houston, not to be confused with "Young" Jim Hall of Dallas, later of Midland.

Behind the 250TR is the Elva Mk 6/Climax of Mike Rahal, Bobby's father.
all research Willem Oosthoek
photo Enus Wilson collection

[Jerry Entin]

Ponca City, Oklahoma, 1960. Enus Wilson and his pit crew posing with the 300S, chassis 3068, now equipped with a Chevy V8.

Today the car is part of the Rob Walton collection.
all research Willem Oosthoek
photo Enus Wilson collection

[Jean L]

Fantastic,for the 250 Testa Rossa fans,it is 0748.

[Barry Boor]

What was the colour of the 300.S?

[275 GTB-4]

Originally posted by Jerry Entin

Ponca City, Oklahoma, 1959. Enus Wilson and his pit crew posing with the 300S, chassis 3068, now equipped with a Chevy V8.

hey..would anyone have the number of the fabulous broad second from the left

[fines]

Hey, fabulous pit crew!

Let's see, Mandy on the LF, Shari on the RF, Melissa on the RR... wait a moment, there's one missing! C'mon Jerry, you're short-changing us!

[Jerry Entin]

Michael: Sonny only liked a crew of 3.
Anymore and they just got in each others way.
On a nice note, Sonny Wilson talked to Gary Wilson his Old buddy last night and they hadn't been in touch for many years. They both enjoyed getting back in touch. See, this forum does do some good.

[Jerry Entin]

Enus Wilson in the #11 300S Maserati

The script of the 1962 movie State Fair, with Pat Boone, Ann-Margret and Bobby Darin, took place in Dallas, Texas. However, the racing scenes for the movie were actually shot on a dirt track at the Oklahoma City Fairground. And Enus Wilson had a role to play!

Leading the field is Ernie Grimm [#44 Lotus 11], followed by Enus [#11 300S with Chevy engine] and Delmo Johnson [#36 XK-SS with Chevy engine]. A movie stuntman was behind the wheel of the C-type.
all research Willem Oosthoek
photo Enus Wilson collection

[Jerry Entin]

Close action in the Petite Prix at Oklahoma City on November 8, 1959

The photo was taken during Race 6, the first Prelim on Sunday and shows Ernie Grimm [Maserati 200SI #13] battling Mack Yates [Corvette #12], Delmo Johnson [Corvette #136] and Enus Wilson [300S #00]. The prelim was won by Ronnie Hissom [Lister/Chevy] over Grimm. Johnson and Yates came next, with Enus 5th overall.

Later that day Jack Hinkle borrowed Grimm's 200SI in the 30-lap Feature for the D-X Sunray Trophy. Hinkle won the race, followed by Gary Laughlin [250TR], Jim Hall [in Dean Knight's Ferrari/Chevy], Bobby Aylward [Maserati 250S] and Enus.

Enus was never very succesful with the obsolete 300S. He started winning races when he acquired his two Birdcage Maseratis. He took chassis 2464 [ex Alan Connell] to victories at Stuttgart, Arkansas in 1962 [Prelim] and 1963 [Feature], and the Buick-engined chassis 2471 to a win in the Mayor's Trophy in Austin, Texas, in 1963.

In the final stages of the 1964 American Challenge Cup at Daytona Enus and 2471 were running 3rd overall behind A.J. Foyt [Mecom Scarab] and Fireball Roberts [Ford Prototype] when his engine blew. During this race he was wired up as part of a Nasa project to determine personal response time under stress. Daytona racing conditions were considered similar to those of manned space flights.

Bob Jackson photo - Willem Oosthoek collection

[Jerry Entin]

Enus Wilson [300S] Maserati #00 and Ernie Grimm [200SI] Maserati #13 at the start of the Prelim of the 1959 Petite Prix at Oklahoma City.

Ernie's 2-liter Maserati is the same car that Hap Sharp drove earlier with a variety of engines: a 2-liter and 2.5-liter Maserati unit, then a 3-liter Ferrari 750 Monza unit. Sharp sold it to Grimm with the original 2-liter engine. On their way from picking up the car in Midland the men were caught in a severe hailstorm that left little dents all over the Maserati body.

As for Enus's 300S Maserati, he remembers selling it to someone in Memphis.
all research Willem Oosthoek
photo lent site Enus Wilson collection.

[Jerry Entin]

Enus Wilson and his wife Sandra Wilson
They are standing by the Iso Grifo A3C he drove in the 12 Hours of Sebring, this was March 21,1964..

The Iso Grifo was Chevy-powered. Ed Hugus had an option on the car when it was still in Italy. He sold it to Bill McLaughlin who entered it for Sebring in 1964. The car was sent to New York, then shipped by air to Dallas where John Miller prepared it for the race. A minor point was that, when it arrived in Dallas, the huge doors had not been installed yet.

Enus Wilson qualified the relatively heavy car in 29th position with a time of 3:31.2, one spot ahead of Tommy Hitchcock's Cobra which did 3:31.6. Enus took the start and co-drove with McLaughlin. Hugus was listed as the third driver although Ed Hugus never took the wheel. During the race the car went through three gearboxes and Jim Hall supplied some parts for the third repair. In the end only two gears remained, top and reverse, and after pitstops the Iso Grifo had to be pushed out of the pits to gain speed. Enus Wilson and Bill McLaughlin made it across the finish line with 110 laps completed. Later on Bill McLaughlin campaigned the car with some success in the Midwest. Sebring 1964 was Enus' last race. He contemplated buying a Lotus 23 but it never came to that.
all research Willem Oosthoek
photo Enus Wilson collection

Edited by Jerry Entin, 30 November 2009 - 01:35.

[Jerry Entin]

Chevy engine in Iso Grifo with Weber 58mm carbs.

[Jerry Entin]

Rear view of the Iso Grifo.
Here is a site telling about Iso Grifo A3/C.
http://personal1.idd...o_grifo_a3c.htm

[Barry Boor]

Amazing - I've got a model of that one, too!

[Jerry Entin]

Start of the July 7, 1963, Lake Garnett Grand prix, an SCCA National.


Jack Hinkle's #61 Cooper Monaco leading the field, followed by Ed Hamill [#99 Cooper Monaco/Ford], Ken Miles [#98 Shelby Cobra/Ford], Enus Wilson [#6 Tipo 61 Maserati, chassis 2464], Harry Heuer [#12 M.B. Chaparral/Chevy], Dick Thompson [#11 Grand Sport], Gary Wilson [#9 250TR] and Chuck Dietrich [#88 Bobsy].

Miles beat Heuer to the finish, followed by early leader Hinkle and Dietrich. Wilson, Hamill and Thompson dropped out.

photo Willem Oosthoek collection

[David M. Kane]

Great stuff!

[fbarrett]

Originally posted by Jerry Entin
[B]
Sebring, March 21, 1964.

Jerry:

Amazing. Cobra #15 was driven by Tommy Hitchcock and Prince Tchkotoua to 7th in class and 14th overall. Tommy had bought the car just two weeks before, and after Sebring he took it to Europe and entered the Targa Florio and a race at the Nuerburgring plus a few british club races. Tommy later sold the car and allowed Timothy Leary to start a druggy commune on his family estate in Duchess County, N.Y. The local district attorney was G. Gordon Liddy! After passing through various hands, the Cobra survives today in the Shelby American Collection in Boulder, Colorado. For more of its fascinating history, see my recent book, Shelby Cars in Detail.

Frank

[thunder427]

Jerry Entin; I know your Wife told you, But,"Your fantastic" !!.........just love your 'Threads'..I've said it before,"wish I had grown up (that should read "Raised"/Ive never 'Grown-up) In California in the 50's come 60's".......Jerry, Thank You, Keep the stories and 'Great ' photos comming................427

[Jerry Entin]

Thunder 427: My wife Carmen thinks I am many things. I don't think Fantastic is one of them. I am happy you are enjoying reading about Enus Wilson. The best thing so far about this particular thread is that I was able to reconnect Enus Wilson with his old friend and co-driver Gary Wilson.

Being raised in Southern California in the 50's and 60's was fun. Racing with the CalClub Group was also very nice.

[Clyde Coman]

Hello

I remember Enus Wilson. My dad David Coman started racing in SCCA about the time Enus Wilson and Ernie Grimm ( his brother in-law) quit racing. My best friend in High School was a nephew of Enus. I have not heard about Sonny in a long time. I did know his ex wife married Carrol Shelby. I rember seeing the Iso at War Bonnett raceway in Oklahoma one time.

[Jerry Entin]

Clyde: The following is from Willem Oosthoek:

Since Shelby married seven times, it is hard to determine which wife she was. Do you remember her name?

[Barry Boor]

Actually, the big question is, would Carroll remember her name?

[fines]

Seven times? The man must be a masochist...

[RA Historian]

Originally posted by Barry Boor
Actually, the big question is, would Carroll remember her name?

OUCH!!

[thunder427]

Jerry; 'Sonny' gets my VOTE for the Year of 2008, anybody that paints a 'Birdcage' Maserati "PURPLE" with 'Pit crew' to match 'IS the MAN'........................Regards427

[Jerry Entin]

Thunder 427: Sonny liked Purple. What more can I say.

This comes from Willem Oosthoek on Shelby's wives.
It must have been Sandra, wife number 4, who poses with Enus in the 1964 Sebring picture with the Iso. Shelby's wifes:

1. Jeanne Fields, 17-year marriage, divorced in 1960, 3 kids
2. Gorgeous Jan Harrison, in Mexico and later annulled
3. A very nice New Zealand gal, reportedly a 6-week deal
4. Sandra, reportedly for a few months
5. Unknown, in the 1980s
6. A very nice Swedish girl Lena Dahl, in 1991, died in car accident in 1997
7. A nice English girl Cleo, in 1997

[ReWind]

Originally posted by Jerry Entin
2. Gorgeous Jan Harrison, in Mexico and later annulled

Link!

[Barry Boor]

The man must be a masochist...

Don't you mean an optimist?

[Jerry Entin]

Enus Wilson's Birdcage being towed behind his beautiful red ElCamino
Enus Wilson's purple Birdcage Maserati at CDR in Colorado. The car was prepared by John Miller of Dallas, Texas.

That's John Miller at the back of the trailer. The photos were taken the weekend of August 17-18, 1963, before the USRRC race at CDR.
John Miller had replaced the original Maserati engine [destroyed at Sebring in 1962] with an aluminum Buick V8, with which Enus won the Mayor's Trophy in Austin, Texas, the week before. At CDR he finished 13th overall.


John Miller on the side of Enus Wilson's Purple Birdcage Maserati.


photos Richard Macon collection - scanned for site Laurie Williamson
all research Willem Oosthoek

[Jerry Entin]

John Miller ducked down working on the Enus Wilson Birdcage Maserati.


Enus Wilson on the left hand side of his Birdcage Maserati.

photos Richard Macon collection - scanned for site Laurie Williamson
all research Willem Oosthoek.

[Jerry Entin]

Enus Wilson at speed in his purple Maserati 300S.
He finished 5th overall in the Oklahoma City Petite Prix in November 1959. The Maserati is the ex A.V. Dayton car often raced for Dayton by Dale Duncan, Masten Gregory's brother-in-law.


Willem Oosthoek Collection - scanned for site Laurie Williamson
all research Willem Oosthoek.

[Barry Boor]

Dayton.... Duncan.... is there any connection????

[xkssFrankOpalka]

Just some misc rememberences, I once looked at a Birdcage Maser for sale in Chicago but had a blown engine, didnt buy it, years later found a 350S being worked on in a shop in Evanston Ill, it had an enlarged rear lid to carry the spare tire, ex-Doc Dee car. It eventually sold for $100,000. I used to see Gary Wilson at the races and thought he bought an early Chapparal from Jim Hall of Midland, Tx, Petro Museum in Midland now has a Chapparal area showing the car being preped for racing, nice display.

[RA Historian]

Originally posted by xkssFrankOpalka
I used to see Gary Wilson at the races and thought he bought an early Chapparal from Jim Hall of Midland, Tx,

Gary Wilson bought a Chaparral 1, chassis no. 3, from Hall, still in the 'Sebring' bodywork. Painted it red with two blue stripes, his regular livery. Ran it for a couple years before it went to Joe Starkey. I believe this car is now owned by Rob Walton.
Tom

[WINO]

Cause to celebrate. Enus "Sonny" Wilson is still with us, living in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. On Monday next week, March 17, Enus will be 89 years old. A Very Happy Birthday, old boy.

[Tim Murray]

(posted on behalf of Willem Oosthoek; his words follow)

Austin, Texas, in August 1963. Enus Wilson on his way to a feature victory in his Buick-engined Birdcage Maserati. The purple car was chassis 2471, formerly owned by Roger Penske. The Buick engine was installed after it blew its Maserati engine at Sebring in 1962.

[Sterzo]

Was that the 3.5 litre V8? (I realise Buick would have quoted CI not litres).

[WINO]

Yes, the engine installed in the Birdcage was a 3.5-liter V8 Buick of the lightweight BOP range. The work was done by John Miller in Dallas.

Edited by WINO, 15 March 2025 - 14:53.

[WINO]

I always wondered how Enus Wilson, as an American Indian, could afford the purchase of his competition cars, including those two Birdcage Maseratis. When asked, he just said that he had some oil wells on his property in Oklahoma.

 

Doing a little research, I found another Enus Wilson, also a Creek Indian, who must have been his dad. This Enus died in July 1937 from typhoid, contracted during a fishing trip. "Our" Enus was a little over a year old then.

 

In their obituary the Tulsa press called his dad "The World's Richest Indian", having made his money in oil and gas. At the time of his death in 1937, he lived in a $80,000 house and reportedly owned $1.8 million in cash and bonds. Now we know where the money came from.

[10kDA]

The establishment of reservations for the various tribes relocated to Indian Country, now known as the State of Oklahoma, gave tribal leadership sovereign powers over the designated land areas. Depending on the language of the documentation, many of these sovereign nations had absolute mineral rights to their property. When the petroleum boom came along tribal leaders sold oil and gas leases, and also developed their own oil production businesses, raking in major cash. The Osage Nation was considered one of the most successfuul at generating profit from oil exploration and production. My half-NA grandfather had a good-sized stack of Standard Oil stock shares from 1925 as a result of tribal sales of oil and gas leases.

[Tim Murray]

(more from Willem)

Stuttgart Air Base, Arkansas, in April 1963. A smiling Enus Wilson holds the checkered flag and silverware after winning the feature of the Grand Prairie Grand Prix with his Birdcage Maserati.

This time it was not in the former Roger Penske chassis 2471, but in chassis 2464, bought from Alan Connell. It still carried its original 2.8-liter, 4-cylinder Maserati engine.

[Tim Murray]

(more from Willem)

A great shot taken by Ronald Hill at Lake Garnett, Kansas, in July 1963. It shows Enus in chassis 2464 again, but after their victory at Stuttgart, the purple Tipo 61 retired at Lake Garnett.